Wallet

ABSTRACT

A moulded wallet formed using at least two layers of plastics materials includes a first part having a free end and a fixed end, and a second part having a free end and a fixed end. The fixed ends cooperating to form a pivot bridge about which the first and second parts pivot between a first folded state and a second open state. A first of the layers of plastics materials includes a semi rigid plastics and a second includes a softer plastics which is less rigid than the first layer said plastics materials. Each of the first and second parts include an outer face and an inner face, the inner face at least partially formed of the semi rigid plastics. The semi rigid plastics co operates with the soft plastics material to define at least one compartment in each of the first and second parts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/661,286 (now abandoned), which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/AU2005/001278, filed Aug. 27, 2005 (which is hereby incorporated by reference).

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to wallets and more particularly relates to wallets of the bifold type including compartments for holding objects such as money and the like. More particularly the present invention relates to an improved more durable wallet manufactured from a plastics material and including compartments which are sufficiently rigid to retain their volume but flexible enough to confirm as required to pockets and body shapes.

Although the invention will be described with reference to preferred configurations constructed from plastics layers, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the plastics wallet arrangements are adaptable in a wide variety of applications.

PRIOR ART

Numerous wallets are known in the prior art. Examples are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,905,881 issued to Graber; 4,570,688 issued to Williams; 5,497,818 issued to Marcarelli; and 1,298,278 issued to Bashinski.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,022 discloses a wallet including a pocket portion defining a front panel, a rear panel, a bottom, side edges, an open top, and a flap portion that extends from the rear panel for folding over the open top to engage the front panel. The wallet comprises male and female fasteners for engaging the flap portion with the front panel.

Although the prior art patents show variety of wallets, each wallet may have particular functional characteristics which allow access to various compartments. Generally the typical wallets have compartments defined by walls which define an envelope which may either have an open edge or which may be closed by a member such as a flap.

Wallets are generally made from leather layers or material backed plastics layers which are connected along edges to form compartments. Thus a three layer wallet might form two compartments which can retain objects such as money therein.

A wallet typically comprises a pocket portion defining a pocket having a front panel, a rear panel, a bottom, side edges and an open top, wherein the front and rear panels are being sandwiched and secured together along the edges thereof. Known wallets may further include a flap portion that extends from a rear panel for folding over the open top to engage the front panel. The wallet may further include a plurality of fasteners disposed on the front panel and flap portion for engaging the flap portion with the front panel.

Accordingly, wallets have a variety of configurations but they have been restricted to construction by materials which impart flexibility to the wallet. This results in any content being placed under stress by squeezing particularly in bifold wallets. U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,563 discloses a multiple bill compartment wallet A wallet including a single strip of material including a plurality of oppositely folded and integrally attached panels which extend in directions opposite the adjacent panels to provide a series of outwardly opening paper currency receiving compartments. A closure, integral with at least one of the panels, is detachably coupled to one of the endmost panels in the stack.

Wallets have been provided heretofore, such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,515, issued to Samuel Miller on Dec. 7, 1948, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,544, issued to B. L. Snyder on Aug. 16, 1966, each of which discloses the concept of a plurality of compartments for holding currency of differing denominations.

The prior art wallets are generally fabricated from a plurality of individual panels which are assembled in stacked relation. The stacking and assembly of individual panels adds to the expense of manufacture. Leather wallets are common and are usually formed from layers of relatively soft material such as cloth layers which are enveloped by a leather outer skin. There have also been cheap wallets which are formed from soft skin plastics with a cloth backing and which are crushable so that the definition and boundaries of the inner compartments are not retained.

There has been a long felt want in the industry to provide a satisfactory alternative to the known wallets which ameliorates the disadvantages of the prior art wallets

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative to the known wallets and in particular to those of the type having a plurality of compartments.

In is one object of the present invention to provide a wallet which has a plurality of compartments, has improved durability but sufficient flexibility to conform to body contours.

In is a further object of the present invention to provide a wallet which has compartments which are more easily accessed than the known envelope type wallets and which allow improved opening and closing of the compartments.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative bi fold wallet constructed from a blend of plastics materials which allow the wallet on one hand to be sufficiently rigid so that the integrity of the compartments is retained but sufficiently flexible so that its panels can deflect with elastic memory so that the wallet is capable of confirming to body contours.

Accordingly, it is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multiple compartment wallet which includes a pair of end panels, a plurality of intermediate panels sandwiched between the end panels, and a closure coupled to one of the intermediate panels detachably coupled to one of the end panels.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-compartment wallet of the type described including novel closures. These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent as the description thereof.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a wallet comprising;

a body including a first outer compartment and an opposing second outer compartment connected to the first outer compartment such that the first and second outer compartments are capable of relative movement allowing one said compartments to be moved relative to the other compartment between a folded state in which the compartments oppose each other and an unfolded state wherein the compartments are generally in alignment;

the wallet further comprising a fold out cover which when folded opposes each said first and second outer compartments; wherein the cover is pivotally connected to said body and defines at least one other compartment;

means connecting said first and second compartments which allow said movement between said folded and unfolded state.

According to a preferred embodiment, said cover which is adapted to move between a folded state in which the cover closes one or both said compartments and an unfolded state in which the cover exposes an internal space in said compartments. The cover preferably includes a compartment having a slidable lid capable of opening and closing said cover compartment.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover is attached to the body of said wallet via at least one hinge. Preferably a first hinge connects said cover to said first compartment and a second hinge connects said cover to said second compartment. According to another embodiment, the cover comprises separate cover elements a first of which comprises said cover compartment and lid and a second of which detachably receives and retains thereon a card holder.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a wallet formed by moulding from at least two plastics materials; the wallet including a first of said plastics materials forming a soft outer wall and a second of said plastics materials being semi rigid and surrounding said outer wall; the wallet further comprising a cover formed from a semi rigid plastics material and a periphery formed from a soft flexible plastics with elastic memory; wherein the cover is folded into opposing relationship with said outer wall and so that the wallet is capable of bi folding so that compartments defined by the outer wall confronts.

Preferably the wallet includes a releasable card holder and a tab which allows locking closure of said confronting compartments.

A multiple fold storage wallet comprising: a plurality of inter-coupled, compartments including a pair of outer panels and a plurality of intermediate panels sandwiched between said outer panels each of said plurality of panels having one end coupled to an adjacent end of an adjacent confronting panel on one side thereof one of said end-most panels having first fastener means thereon; one said panels having a tab integrally coupled thereto along a portion thereof and extending outwardly and around an opposite side of another panel; the wallet formed by moulding from at least two plastics materials; the wallet including a first of said plastics materials forming a soft outer wall and a second of said plastics materials being semi rigid and surrounding said outer wall; the wallet further comprising a cover formed from a semi rigid plastics material and a periphery formed from a soft flexible plastics with elastic memory.

According to a preferred embodiment, a tab used to close the wallet is integral with the soft flexible outer wall plastics material and has sufficient extension to wrap around an opposite face of said wall.

In another broad form the present invention comprises:

a foldable wallet comprising;

a body including a first pair of compartments and an opposing second pair of compartments connected to the first compartments such that the first and second compartments are capable of relative movement allowing one said compartments to be moved relative to the other compartment between a folded state in which the compartments oppose each other and an unfolded state wherein the compartments are generally in alignment;

hinge means connecting said first and second compartments which allow said movement between said folded and unfolded state;

said second compartments also forming a cover which is adapted to move between a folded state in which the cover closes the first pair of compartments and an unfolded state in which the cover exposes an internal space in said first pair of compartments;

said cover including a slidable lid capable of opening and closing said cover compartment.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover is attached to the body of said wallet via at least one hinge. Preferably a first hinge connects said cover to said first pair of compartments. According to another embodiment, the cover detachably receives and retains thereon a card holder.

The wallet further comprises a roving module which engages the compartment formed in said cover.

Preferably, one of said first pair of compartments of said wallet body includes a tab which enables said first body and said second body to be secured in said folded state.

According to one embodiment, the first and second pair of compartments of said wallet body are manufactured from co moulded polypropylene, the lid from polypropylene, the roving module from polypropylene and the card holder from PVC.

According to an alternative embodiment, the wallet body and cover are made from a blend of soft flexible plastics and a semi rigid plastics. Preferably the semi rigid plastics forms an outer surface of the cover and an inner portion of the cover. Preferably the soft flexible rubberised plastics forms an inner surface of the first and second compartments and a peripheral rim of said cover.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises a bi fold plastics wallet comprising;

a first wall having an inner face, an outer face and a flexible spine and which defines on one side of the spine a first compartment and on another side a second compartment;

wherein, the first compartment is connected to the second compartment via the spine such that the first and second compartments are capable of relative movement allowing one said compartments to be moved between a folded state in which the compartments oppose each other and an unfolded state wherein the compartments are unopposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations; wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a wallet according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a plan interior surface view of the wallet of FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a plan outside surface view of the opposite side of the wallet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the wallet closed.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a wallet according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a plan interior surface view of the wallet of FIG. 6 in an open configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a plan outside surface view of the opposite side of the wallet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the wallet closed.

FIGS. 11 a, b, and c show a wallet in three utility configurations according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of a wallet according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a wallet according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a plan interior surface assembled view of the wallet of FIG. 13 in an open configuration.

FIG. 15 shows a plan outside surface view of the opposite side of the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the wallet closed.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 17 closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be described with reference to the following embodiments which disclose a wallet having a stiff outer plastics shell which is flexible enough to be elastic and thereby conform to body contours such as when the wallet is placed in the pocket of a wearer. It will be appreciated however, that the invention in adopting that concept can equally be applicable to a variety of alternative embodiments other than those described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a wallet 1 according to a preferred embodiment. Wallet 1 comprises an outer cover 2 having walls 3 and 4 which define inner compartments 5 and 6. Cover 2 is preferably made from a soft flexible rubber which is of sufficient stiffness to enable the wallet to retain its shape but of sufficient flexibility to accommodate deflection so that it may conform to a body shape. Wallet 1 also comprises a closure 7 defining two compartments 8 and 9. Closure 7 is pivotally attached to cover 2 via respective hinges 10 and 11 which allows closure 7 to be rotated so that it opposes cover 2. Compartment 8 is closed by a sliding lid 12 which is then fitted onto cover 2. Compartments 8 and 9 are joined by a bridge 13 which allows pivotal movement of compartment 8 relative to compartment 9 when closure 7 is folded over into opposing relationship with cover 2.

Cover 2 also includes a flexible bridge 14 which allow eventual bi folding of cover 2 so a wallet like appearance is formed. Compartment 9 of closure 7 receives and retains a card holder 15 which fits neatly into compartment 9. Closure 2 further comprises a peripheral rim 16 which is formed from a semi rigid plastics material. Thus rim 16 peripherally stiffens closure 2 to provide an outer frame which supports soft flexible rubber of outer cover 2. Closure 7 on the other hand incorporates a peripheral rim 17 made of soft rubber and an inner region 18 of semi rigid plastics. The distribution of soft and semi rigid plastics materials imparts a stiffness to wallet 1 which allows the compartments when folded to substantially retain their structural integrity under load but without discomfort to the wearer. Cover 2 further comprises closure tab 19 which engages boss 23 when cover 2 is folded about bridge 14. Bridges 13 and 14 are in apposition when closure 7 is folded over cover 2 and wallet 1 is folded about 14.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the wallet of FIG. 1 in an open configuration with corresponding numbering. According to this view closure 7 is folded into cover 2 via hinges 10 and 11. Lid 12 has closed off compartment 8. FIG. 2 also shows the relationship between bridges and 14 when closure 7 is disposed over cover 2. In this configuration compartments 8 and 9 are foldable about bridge 13.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the opposite side of the wallet of FIG. 1 in an open configuration with corresponding numbering. According to this view the reverse side of FIG. 2 is visible. Outer surfaces 22 and 24 are shown joined by bridge 14. In this configuration compartments 8 and 9 are foldable about bridge 13.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 1 with corresponding numbering.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the wallet 1 closed/folded with corresponding numbering. The wallet so formed has a plurality of compartments, has improved durability but sufficient flexibility to conform to body contours and with an elastic memory.

The wallet has compartments which are more easily accessed than the known envelope type wallets and which allow improved opening and closing of the compartments.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a perspective exploded view of a wallet 29 according to an alternative embodiment. Wallet 29 comprises an outer cover 30 having walls 31 and 32 which define inner compartments 33 and 34. Cover 30 is preferably made from a soft flexible rubberised plastics which is of sufficient stiffness to enable the wallet to retain its shape but of sufficient flexibility to accommodate elastic deflection. Wallet 30 also comprises a closure 35 defining two compartments 36 and 37. Closure 35 is pivotally attached to cover 30 via respective hinges 38 and 39 which allows closure 35 to be rotated so that it opposes cover 30. Compartment 36 is closed by a sliding lid 40. Compartments 36 and 37 are joined by a bridge 41 which allows pivotal movement of compartment 36 relative to compartment 37 when closure 35 is folded over into opposing relationship with cover 30. Cover 30 also includes a flexible bridge 42 which allows eventual bi folding of cover 30 so a wallet like appearance is formed. Compartment 37 of closure 35 receives and retains a card holder 43 which fits neatly into compartment 37.

Wallet 29 also comprises an optional detachable roving module 45 insertable in compartment 37. Module 45 includes opening 51 which aligns with opening 50 in compartment 37. Closure 35 further comprises a peripheral rim 44 which is formed from a semi rigid plastics material. Thus rim 44 peripherally stiffens closure 35 to provide an outer frame which supports soft flexible rubber of outer cover 30. Closure 35 alternatively may incorporate a peripheral rim 44 made of soft rubber and an inner region 46 of semi rigid plastics. The distribution of soft and semi rigid plastics materials imparts a stiffness to wallet 29 which allows the compartments when folded to substantially retain their integrity under load but without discomfort to the wearer. Cover 30 further comprises closure tab 47 which engages boss 48 when cover 30 is folded about bridge 42. Bridges 41 and 42 are in apposition when closure 35 is folded over cover 30 and wallet 29 is folded about bridge 42.

FIG. 7 shows a plan interior surface view of the wallet of FIG. 6 in an open configuration with corresponding numbering. According to this view closure 35 is folded into cover 30 via hinges 38 and 39. Lid 40 has closed off compartment 8. FIG. 2 also shows the relationship between bridges and 14 when closure 7 is disposed over cover 2. In this configuration compartments 20 and 21 are foldable about bridge 13.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the opposite side of the wallet of FIG. 6 in an open configuration with corresponding numbering. According to this view the reverse side of FIG. 7 is visible. Outer compartments 33 and 34 are shown joined by bridge 42. In this configuration compartments 36 and 37 (obscured) are foldable about bridge 41. Compartment 37 includes an aperture 50 and roving module 45 also includes an aperture 51 which aligns with apertures 50 when module 45 engages compartment 37 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the wallet 29 of FIG. 6 with corresponding numbering.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the wallet closed with corresponding numbering. Tab 47 wraps around compartment 34 to engage boss 48. The wallet so formed has a plurality of compartments, has improved durability but elastic flexibility.

FIG. 11 a shows a wallet 53 in a first open utility configuration according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 b shows wallet 53 in a partially folded utility configuration according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 c shows wallet 53 in a partially folded utility configuration according to an alternative embodiment. Wallet 53 shown comprises cover 55 manufactured from a soft plastics material to which is pivotally attached via hinge 56 a closure wall 54 made partially from a soft plastics and partially from a rigid plastics material. As shown in FIG. 11 c wallet 53 is folded about hinge 58 to effect complete bi fold closure.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of a wallet according to an alternative embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13 there is shown a perspective view of a wallet 59 according to an alternative but preferred embodiment. Wallet 59 comprises an outer cover 61 having walls 62 and 63 which define inner compartments 64 and 65. Cover 61 is preferably made from a combination of a soft flexible rubberised plastics shown by hatched areas 66 and 67 and a semi rigid plastics material (regions 68 and 69) which is of sufficient stiffness to enable the wallet to retain its shape but of sufficient flexibility to accommodate deflection so that it may either conform to a body shape or at least deflect in response to a load. Wallet 59 also comprises a wall 70 defining two regions 71 and 72. Wall 70 engages cover 61 via aligned formations which may be rails and rail guides. Rail 74 engages recess 73 and recess 75 engages a corresponding rail obscured on the underside of wall 70. The rail recess engagements may be male female type connections or reverse gender. According to one embodiment, they may be detachably fitted by snap fit engagement. Wall 70 nests inside peripheral rims 76 and 77. Compartments 64 and 65 are joined by a bridge 78 which allows pivotal movement of compartment 64 relative to compartment 65 when cover 61 is folded about bridge 78.

Wall 70 also includes a flexible bridge 79 which allows bi folding of compartments 71 and 72 so a wallet like appearance is formed. Compartment region 71 of wall 70 receives and retains a card holder 80. Card holder 80 includes male formations 81 which engage a female recess 82 on region 71. Wall 70 of wallet 59 further comprises a peripheral rim 83 which is formed from a semi rigid plastics material. Thus rim 83 peripherally stiffens region 72 and provides an outer frame which supports soft flexible region 71. Compartment 72 is defined by cover 84 which includes formation 85 which engages corresponding formations 86 and 87 associated with rim 83. This arrangement allows cover to open and close compartment 72 by rotation of formation 85. The distribution of soft and semi rigid plastics materials imparts a stiffness to wallet 59 which allows the compartments when folded to substantially retain their integrity under load but without discomfort to the Bridges 78 and 79 are in apposition when wall engages is folded over cover 2 and wallet 1 is folded about 14.

FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the wallet 59 of FIG. 13 in an open configuration with corresponding numbering. According to this view wall 70 is engaged with cover 61 by for example, snap fit engagement.

FIG. 15 shows an opened out plan view of the external face of the wallet 59 of FIG. 13 in an open configuration and with corresponding numbering. According to this view the reverse side of that shown in FIG. 14 is visible. In this configuration compartments 8 and 9 are foldable about bridge 13.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the wallet of FIGS. 14 and 15 with corresponding numbering. FIG. 16 also shows the relationship between bridges 78 and 79 when wall 70 is disposed over cover 61. In this configuration compartments 66 and 67 are foldable about bridge 78.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the wallet closed with corresponding numbering. The wallet so formed has a plurality of compartments, has improved durability but sufficient flexibility to conform to body contours.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the wallet of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the wallet of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the wallet of FIG. 17 closed/folded. The wallet has compartments which are more easily accessed than the known envelope type wallets and which allow improved opening and closing of the compartments.

It will be recognized by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein such as altering the durometers of the plastics used without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A moulded wallet comprising: at least two layers of plastics materials including a layer of semi rigid plastics material and a layer of softer plastics material which is less rigid than the layer of semi rigid plastics material; a first part having a free end, a fixed end, an outer face and an inner face, said inner face being at least partially formed of the layer of semi rigid plastics material, and said outer face at least partially formed of the layer of softer plastics material; a second part having a free end, a fixed end, an outer face and an inner face, said inner face being at least partially formed of the layer of semi rigid plastics material, and said outer face at least partially formed of the layer of softer plastics material; a pivot bridge formed by cooperation of the fixed ends of said first and second parts and about which the first and second parts pivot between a first folded state when the first and second parts oppose each other and a second open state when the first and second parts are capable of lying in the same plane; and at least one compartment in each of said first and second parts defined by a cooperation of the layer of semi rigid plastics material of the inner faces with the layer of softer plastics material of the outer faces.
 2. A wallet according to claim 1, wherein the pivot bridge comprises a flexible spine formed from the softer plastics material.
 3. A wallet according to claim 2, wherein the at least one compartment is formed by a space between opposing layers.
 4. A wallet according to claim 3, wherein the plastics are selected from co moulded polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon and PVC.
 5. A wallet according to claim 4, wherein part of the plastics which forms the wallet is soft and pliable and another part of the wallet is semi rigid.
 6. A wallet according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the plastics material which comprises the first and second parts has a durometer within the range of shore hardness A 5-85 and a portion has a durometer range of greater than shore hardness A85.
 7. A wallet according to claim 6, further including a card holder which is retained in the at least one of the compartments and which is capable of receiving and retaining a credit or business card.
 8. A wallet according to claim 7, wherein at least one said first and second parts includes a compartment which occupies a majority of the area of the inner face of each said first and second parts.
 9. A wallet according to claim 8, further comprising a peripheral boundary having the softer plastics material.
 10. A wallet according to claim 9, wherein the same plastics type is used which is part semi rigid and part soft.
 11. A wallet according to claim 9, wherein different plastic types are used to form the plastics layers.
 12. A wallet according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said first and second parts includes a compartment which occupies a majority of the area of the inner face of the first part.
 13. A wallet according to claim 12, wherein, the first part and second parts are formed by interfitting of one plastic type forming one layer and another plastics type forming a second layer.
 14. A wallet according to claim 13, wherein the interfitting of the layers is via opposite gender profile parts.
 15. A wallet according to claim 14, wherein the profile parts are disposed along at least one edge of each said first and second parts.
 16. A wallet according to claim 15, wherein an inner layer of plastics has a male profile part and an outer layer of plastics has a female profile part which inter engages with the male profile part.
 17. A wallet according to claim 16, wherein the male profile part forms a rim about the periphery of the first and second parts.
 18. A wallet according to claim 8, further comprising a tab which allows locking closure of the first and second parts.
 19. A wallet according to claim 11, wherein the tab extends from one end of an outer wall of the first part and wraps about an opposite end of an outer wall of the second part.
 20. A wallet according to claim 1, wherein the layer of softer plastics material forms a cover extending substantially the length of an edge of the first and second parts and which cover is pivotal about the layer of semi-rigid plastics material such that the cover moves between a first state in which is wholly within a peripheral boundary of the bi fold wallet and a second state in which the cover is pivoted about the edge of the first and second parts.
 21. A wallet comprising: moulded layers of soft plastics material and semi rigid plastics material; an outer layer and an inner layer co operating to form a wallet body in which a first part is foldable against a second part such that portions of an inner surface of the wallet body oppose one another; the inner surface being formed predominantly of the semi rigid plastics material, an outer surface of the wallet body being formed from the soft plastics material, and said outer surface including a peripheral boundary formed from the semi rigid plastics material and an intermediate flexible pivot bridge about which said inner surface may be folded; at least one compartment defined by a cooperation of the outer layer and the inner layer, and when the outer layer and inner layer form the wallet body each of the outer layer and inner layer move in unison between a folded configuration and an opened out configuration. 